John Robbins

Who is John Robbins?

John Robbins is an illustrator, educator, and former host of the public television program Cover to Cover, which aired in the United States and Canada from the 1960s to the 1990s.

A former elementary school teacher, Robbins hosted Cover to Cover, in which he introduced young readers to one or two books, from which he or another narrator would read excerpts. As the story unfolded, Robbins would illustrate a scene from the passage being read, bringing the story to life using colored pencils or other techniques. Viewers would see the picture develop while listening to the story, which usually ended with a cliffhanger. Robbins then encouraged children to go to the library and check out the books he had been illustrating.

In a 1978 interview, Robbins said, "I also do a lot of traveling. I go and spend several weeks in one state, speaking to librarians, kids, and college groups." His hobbies included birdwatching, playing the piano, sailing, and water skiing.